Page 15 of The Defense Rests
I pull the drain plug and set it on the side of the tub. Kai stands, and I begin to dry him off. When I swipe the towel across hisbits, he lets out a soft moan and giggles again. I don't acknowledge the behavior.
"Turn, please, so I can dry your back." He complies, and holy hell. His ass is more perfect than I saw earlier. I dry his back, but keep my eyes on his ass. When I move the towel down to dry his rounded globes, he shakes it a bit and giggles. I give him a light swat on his butt. "Behave." I warn before telling him, "You're dry.
Step out." I hold out my hand, and he steps from the tub.
Once he's dry and dressed, we settle in the living room on the couch. Glancing at his bookshelf, I don't see any children's books; only adult romance and some science fiction. That won't work. Crap, I wanted my boy to have a little day, but there is literally nothing here for a little. I will have to improvise.
"Since it was a long day, how about we watch a movie instead of reading a story?" I ask.
"Yay," he bounces on the seat next to me before reaching over and handing me the remote. I turn on Disney+ and see that he started a mermaid movie. I click on start over.
"Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
"Dink."
"Alright, let me get you something to drink." I rummage through the cupboard and find a plastic bottle with a mermaid on it. Not a sippy cup. It's not a specific mermaid, just a generic cartoon one. Interesting. Since his duck was Elsa, I thought she might have been his favorite princess character, but it seems like Ariel is instead. Maybe? I open the fridge and find some orange juice and fill his bottle.
Walking back into the living room, Kai is squatting next to the coffee table with a basket pulled out from underneath. He's coloring in a Disney princess coloring book. Looking down at the book, his coloring is…colorful. Lines are going in all directions, and he's not even looking at the page as he colors. It's like he's just going through the motions while his eyes are fixated on the movie.
"Here you go, baby boy." I hand Kai the bottle, and his grin goes wide.
"Tanks."
I settle back on the couch to watch Ariel and Flounder rummage through an abandoned ship. A few minutes pass before a shark busts through the wall, causing Kai to leave his crayons and press into my side. I wrap my arm around him and hold him tightly. "It's okay, baby. I've got you. You're safe."
"Bad Chark," I grin at his word choice.
"Yes, baby, it's a bad shark for trying to eat Ariel and Flounder," I tell him, kissing him on his temple.
I turn my body more toward him to get comfortable, and Kai lets out a deep sigh, settling into me with his head on my chest. By the time Ariel sings about her collection of things found in the ocean, Kai's breathing has evened out, and he's asleep in my arms.
Looking at the lonely bottle on the table, an idea pops into my head.
Carefully removing my phone from my pocket so I don't disturb my sleeping boy, I pull up the Amazon app and am grateful for same-day delivery.
Nine
Shaun
After I submit my order for a few things and place an order for online grocery delivery, my phone vibrates in my palm.
Unknown: Hey, Stranger!
Unknown: It's Amber. We met at the fundraiser a couple of weeks ago.
I update the contact information in my phone and smile. Thinking back on that night, and playing with Ben for a little while. He was such a sweet boy. Looking down at Kai, my heart feels fluttery knowing I have the boy who is meant for me.
Me: How are you? Thanks for reaching out.
Amber: Are you free to chat for a few minutes? I could use your help with something.
Me: Unfortunately, I'm not.
Should I tell her about Kai? We haven't made anything official, and I don't want to break his confidence in me by sharing something he doesn't like the world to know.
Me: In the middle of something right now. We can text, or I can give you a call later if you'd rather.
Amber: Text is fine. Will you be in the city anytime soon?
